At the ongoing 'Future Games' in Astana, hundreds of volunteers are serving the public. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.

Among the volunteers there are also active citizens over 70 years old. They are not often seen, but they perform a very responsible task. Thanks to them, the work of young volunteers is facilitated, everyone is warmly welcomed and politely seen off.

A Sputnik Kazakhstan correspondent visited the volunteers' headquarters and found out why 'silver volunteers' are engaged in this work.

Age is not a barrier to doing good

We spotted three women in volunteer uniforms in the lobby. All three, taking advantage of a break during the competition, were cheerfully chatting at a table. They had badges around their necks and smiles on their faces. They don't look like people nearing 70 at all.

Meruert Rakhmetova had long dreamed of speaking English fluently. She first tried to learn the language on her own and attended courses. But she couldn't achieve the desired result.

"I mostly studied on my own, watched many videos on the internet. Then I tried a course for retirees. It was boring there: they learn the alphabet, but I wanted to speak English," she says.

Meruert also attended a speaking club. There, many noticed her enthusiasm for learning the language and her care for people, and advised her to do volunteer work.

"So I got involved in volunteer activities and came to the 'Future Games'. Here from morning to evening I communicate: 'Hello! Where are you from?' – and I thought I would improve my language. 'You will get tired,' they say, they don't run us around, they do everything themselves," Rakhmetova noted.

Nagima Bekturova has been volunteering for about three years. According to her, one should take advantage of the opportunities created for retirees today.

"I came to bring at least a little benefit to society. Because all conditions are created for us. There are several active longevity centers in the city. There, every retiree can do any activity according to their interests. Since such opportunities are created, why shouldn't we also contribute for free. I came to volunteering for this reason," says Bekturova.

Gulmira Zholbaskanova used to be a doctor. Therefore, she knows well what care is.

"I get energy from volunteer work. At such competitions, we try to show our help, contribute our share. This is also a great motivation for the family," she says.